Politics · Other · 2 hrs ago
Francophonie summit in Cambodia faces criticism over rights and Congo conflict
French President Emmanuel Macron and other leaders are meeting in Phnom Penh for a three-day summit of the International Organisation of La Francophonie, a group of French-speaking countries and governments.
Cambodia is hosting the gathering as it takes over the group’s chairmanship from France.
Exiled Cambodian opposition figure Sam Rainsy called the summit a “sham”, saying repression and organised crime make Cambodia an unsuitable host.
The Cambodian government rejected the criticism, while a UN human rights envoy urged it to release more than 100 detained people before the summit.
Leaders are also weighing a choice between candidates from Rwanda and Congo for the organisation’s secretary-general, amid accusations that Rwanda backs armed groups in eastern Congo; Rwanda denies the claims.
Congo has threatened to leave the group if Rwanda’s Louise Mushikiwabo wins another term.
The decision is due Monday, and Congo’s departure would be a major loss for the organisation because it is the largest French-speaking country by population.
The Francophonie summit is being held in Phnom Penh from Saturday through Monday, amid criticism over Cambodia’s human rights record and a dispute linked to conflict in eastern Congo.
Exiled Cambodian opposition figure Sam Rainsy called the summit a “sham” and said Cambodia was an inappropriate venue.
Cambodia’s information minister said the government was focused on making the gathering a success, while a French official said France had messages to convey on human rights and the rule of law.
Leaders are due to choose the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie’s secretary-general, with Rwanda’s Louise Mushikiwabo seeking reelection and Congo’s Juliana Lumumba among the candidates.
Congo has threatened to leave the organisation if Mushikiwabo is reelected, amid accusations that Rwanda backs armed groups in eastern Congo, which Rwanda denies.
- Who
- Leaders of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, including French President Emmanuel Macron, are attending; exiled Cambodian opposition figure Sam Rainsy has criticised the summit.
- What
- The group is holding a three-day summit and is due to choose its secretary-general.
- When
- Saturday through Monday; the article was published on November 14, 2026.
- Where
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
- Why
- The summit brings together French-speaking states and governments to discuss cooperation; its venue and leadership choice have drawn criticism and diplomatic tensions.
Cambodian critics of the summit
Cambodian government and French official
Summit venue
Cambodian critics of the summit
Sam Rainsy says Cambodia is the wrong place for the summit because of political persecution and rights concerns.
Cambodian government and French official
Cambodia’s information minister says the government is focused on making the gathering a success.
Human rights
Cambodian critics of the summit
Sam Rainsy and a coalition of 26 organisations say Cambodia’s democracy and human rights situation conflicts with Francophonie values.
Cambodian government and French official
A French official says France will address human rights and the rule of law at the summit and that an empty-chair policy is not the best way to advance these issues.
Hun Sen handed power to his son, Hun Manet, after governing Cambodia for nearly four decades.
Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso announced withdrawals from the Francophonie organisation after their memberships were suspended over military coups.
The UN human rights envoy to Cambodia urged the government to release more than 100 people detained for exercising their fundamental freedoms.
A coalition of 26 Cambodian organisations delivered a petition to the Canadian and French embassies in Phnom Penh.
Sam Rainsy denounced the summit as a “sham” in an interview with Reuters.
The Francophonie summit is scheduled to take place in Phnom Penh.
- Summit dates
- November 14–16, 2026
- Summit venue
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Organisation membership
- 90 member states and governments
- OIF 2026 budget
- €71.7 million ($79 million)
- Secretary-general candidates
- Louise Mushikiwabo of Rwanda and Juliana Lumumba of the Democratic Republic of Congo
3 sources
What people are saying
I think the summit is going to take place at the wrong place at the wrong time.
I think it is a sham. It is a strange summit.
no time for polemics
The Francophonie cannot credibly promote shared prosperity while criminal networks operate with impunity and citizens are denied their democratic rights,